Clutch-pedal attachment



Patented July 20, 1926.

MANUEL H. KIP?, OF FLANDREAU, SOUTH DAIEOTA.

CLUTCl-FEDAL ATTACHMENT.

Application filed March 13, 1925. Serial No. 15,87.

This invention relates Ato yan improved attachrnent lor a clutch pedal of the type ernployed upon tractors ot the Fordson type.

The invent-ion has more particular' reterence to an attachment which serves to securely lmaintain the pedal in its depressed position for disengaging the clutch and permitting independent rotation of the engine shaft with respect to lthe propeller shat.

More specifically, the invention comprises a handle which is detachably connected to the pedal so that it will move vwith the pedal as it is raised and lowered, novel releasable mea-ns being associated with the handle and a relatively stationary part ol the vehicle ior securely holding lthe pedal in its de- -pressed state or in its elevated position.

In connection with maintaining the pedal in its elevated position, an important advantage is derived in that it vpermits the pedal to serve as a Vfoot resttor the operator and prevents accidental, or in fact, any depression of Vthe pedals so as to prevent possible dragging of the clutch and resultant wear.

Other advantages and features will become apparent from the following description and drawing.

In the accompanying drawing forming a partof this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure l is a side elevation of a fragment of a tractor of the type specied showing the clutch pedal with the improved attachment associated therewith.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view showing the method. of connection of the handle to the pedal.

Fig. 3 is al detail sectional and elevational view sl'iowing a paw] and ratchet construction constituting a part or' the invention.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. l, showing a slightly different embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the reference character l designates the oscillatory clutch pedal of the kind used upon a tractor of the Fordson type. As is well known, when this pedal is depressed, the clutch, which is controlled, is disengaged to permit idling of the engine shaft. lVhen it is released, however, the clutch is automatically engaged to couple the propeller shaft to the engine shaft.

.lt is frequently desirable to permit independent rotation ot' the engine shaft` for deriving belt power therefrom Jfor operating other machinery and at the Sametime holding the Yclutch released. Of course, I' ain aware that numerous devices have been provided ior maintaining a clutch pedal in a depressed state, at the saine time, as tar ,as I am aware, none are as satisfactory as might be.

Fence the structural improvement which l have evolved and producedV to accomplish this primary purpose. rlhe invention is shown in two embodiments and attent-ion is tirst directe-dto Figs. lto 8 inclusive where'- in one embodiment is shown. i

Noting these figures, it will be seen that a handle is provided, the lower end portion 3 being odset shown in Fig. 2 and the ei:- tremity being provided with a. semi-circular seat i 'tor reception of the upper haloit' the cylindrical portieri of the pedal l. t3- hclts 5 are passed over this seat and are con-- nected with clamping plates 6, thus securely connecting the handle to the pedal. Between its ends, as more clearly shown in Fig. 8, the handle is provided with an elcngated slot and an anti-triction roller T is rotated in this slot. Also as shown here, an arcuate toothed rack bar S extends therethrough andcontacts the roller. Observing now Fig. l, it will be seen that the upper end ot this rack bar is secured as at 9 to a relatively stationary part of the tractor. lt will also be noted that the bar curves downwardly.r the arc being consistent with the arc traversed by the swing` of the pedal so as to prevent possible interference oit the attachn'ient with the "free reciprocation of the pedal.

lt will also be noted trom Fig. 3 that a spring pressed pawl l0 is carried by the handle and is adapted to be collectively engaged with the teeth on the rack bar, this pawl being controlled by a pivoted hand piece 11 at the top of the handle.

From the foregoing it will be seen that when the pedal is to be depressed, the toet is placed thereon in the usual way and the pedal is pushed downwardly, the handle being pulled downward after releasing the pawl. When the pedal is in the lower-most position and the clutch released, the pawl may then be released and engaged with the teeth of the rack bar to maintain the pedal in its depressed state. 0n returning the pedal, the under side of the rack har acts somewhat as a cam, the anti-friction roller lULl liti

riding upwardly on the same and preventingr too quick a return of the pedal and possible choking' of the motor.

lVlien the pedal reaches its uppermost position to thoroughly release the clutch, the pawl engages the rack bar to maintain the pedal in this position. At this time the pedal comes to a firm foot rest for the operators foot and considerable Weight can be placed thereon Without fearng depression of the pedal and dragging of the clutch. This is an important feature upon Which stress is to be laid.

The device shown in Fig. 4 accomplishes somewhat the same result. Attention, being` Confined to this figure it will be seen that the handle 12 is provided with a foot 1.55 clamped by bolt 14 upon the pedal 15. The upper end of the handle is provided With an appropriate hand ,Q'rip 16. Pivoted at l? below the hand grip is a slotted link 1S. Extending' through the slot 19 in this link is a projection 2O carried by a collar 21 clamped or secured upon the body 22. The link is maintained in yieldable contact with this projection through the medium of an appropriate spring' 23. Also the link may be rocked by the angular extension 24. At its opposite ends the link is provided with notches 25 and 26 constituting tivo seats.

Obviously when the pedal is depressed, the pin or projection 20 is seated in the notch 25 and When the pedal is in its uppermost position, the pin is seated in the notch 26. S0, it Will be seen that the pedal Will be firmly held in either of the two positions specified. Obviously, in order to permit movement of the handle, the angular entension 24 must be grasped to rock the link about its pivot.

It is thought that the foregoing' description taken in connection With the drawings, will enable persons skilled in the arl lo which the invention relates to obtain a clear understanding of the same. l? or this reaso-i a more lengthy description is thoughtuanecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it to be understood that minor changes coming' Within the field of invention claimed, may be resorted to if desired.

Having thus described my invention. what I claim as new is In a vehicle structure of the class ascribed, a clutch operating` pedal, a handle rigidly extending from the clutch operating` pedal at an angle thereto and upwardly therefrom, an extension provided on the vehicle, a link having a slotted. body portion and an angularly disposed handle portion, means for pivoting' the link to the handle so that said handle portion is normally disposed forwardly of said handle, said slotted body being' provided Wit-h notches at its ends rising1 from the slots, said extension bein;l disposed in said slots for engaging' with said notches.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

MANUEL H. KIPP. 

